Injuries piled up early in a crazy and condensed schedule that invited fatigue and long-term ailments. And then Quinn Hughes was traded.<\/p>\n
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Published May 19, 2026 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 Last updated 2\u00a0hours ago \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 3 minute read<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n You can save this article by registering for free here<\/a>. Or sign-in<\/a> if you have an account.<\/p>\n The odds of success for rookie NHL head coach Adam Foote were never good.<\/p>\n Advertisement 2<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. 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Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events.Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account.The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.<\/p>\n REGISTER \/ SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.<\/p>\n THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an Account<\/p>\n or<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n As injuries piled up early in a crazy and condensed schedule that invited fatigue and long-term ailments, it was the Vancouver Canucks<\/a> bench boss who felt the pain. He couldn\u2019t stop his club from driving into the ditch as losses piled up. It led to a torturous season for the NHL\u2019s last-place club.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n On Tuesday morning, Adam Foote and assistant coaches Kevin Dean, Brett McLean and Scott Young were fired<\/a>. It only increased the prospect of Abbotsford head coach Manny Malhotra, who guided the AHL affiliate to the 2025 Calder Cup championship, running his first NHL bench in Vancouver. Conversations will soon occur and he\u2019s the obvious favourite.<\/p>\n As for Foote, you could almost see his departure coming because the bad luck started early and never really went away.<\/p>\n When centres Filip Chytil<\/a> and Teddy Blueger<\/a> were injured in the same game Oct. 19 in Washington, D.C., it started a spiral that would see nine players sidelined at one point by various ailments. Starting goaltender Thatcher Demko<\/a> was also hurt once again as the club struggled to defend and allowed the most goals and had the worst penalty kill. The Canucks also scored the second-fewest goals.<\/p>\n Canucks Report<\/p>\n Thanks for signing up!<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Advertisement 3<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n If that wasn\u2019t bad enough, they set franchise records<\/a> for futility with an 11-game losing streak and a disturbing 9-27-5 home-ice free-fall that convinced ownership that a roster rebuild and hockey operations department restructuring were finally imperative. That alone offered hope of better times for a frantic and faithful fan base that had reason for optimism among all the dread.<\/p>\n \u201cA very tough and tumultuous year with so many variables,\u201d Canucks general manager Ryan Johnson said at a Tuesday afternoon press conference. \u201cIt\u2019s less than change and the past and more about implementing something for the future. Speaking with Adam this morning, and with the alignment what we\u2019re looking for, we just wanted a new voice and new group to come in and start the next era of this franchise.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was less about what they did or didn\u2019t do.\u201d<\/p>\n Granted, the Canucks simply didn\u2019t have or pursue the right support pieces when injuries struck this season. However, they also didn\u2019t have the right direction for budding blueliners Zeev Buium, Tom Willander, Elias Pettersson<\/a> and Victor Mancini. They struggled with a system that often had them chasing the game in their own zone, more of a demanding man-to-man coverage commitment.<\/p>\n Advertisement 4<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n When Johnson stated Thursday in announcing the hockey ops hirings that it was unfair to judge at that moment what Foote endured this season \u2014 pending a review of what actually went wrong \u2014 it was the courtesy you expect Johnson to afford Foote.<\/p>\n He was a dutiful defensive defenceman during his NHL playing career, and capable assistant under Rick Tocchet<\/a>, who would run the back end and the penalty kill. It was the right job at the right time.<\/p>\n However, heavy is the head that wears the crown.<\/p>\n It\u2019s often said an assistant coach wears the white hat to form relationships with players. The head coach dons the black hat and that never really seemed to fit Foote. He had to deal with expectations, a room that would again become divided, the probing media, and there was no magic elixir to heal the pain of it all.<\/p>\n The Canucks did compete better down the stretch. There was a better spirit among young players to feel comfortable and it bodes well for the future. The big question was always who would steer them and other prospects to ensure the rebuild would be about development and a cohesive commitment to it all?<\/p>\n It appears to be Malhotra.<\/p>\n Promoting Foote this season wasn\u2019t surprising. He had good relationships with defencemen, especially with Quinn Hughes<\/a>, and that was expected to be part of the catalyst for a strong season before it all went incredibly sideways. Hughes was traded and the air quickly escaped the balloon of hope.<\/p>\n How much of all that is Foote\u2019s fault? Not all. But enough to see him let go.<\/p>\n bkuzma@postmedia.com<\/a><\/p>\n Read More<\/p>\n Canucks: Why Manny Malhotra should supplant fired head coach Adam Foote<\/p>\n![\"alt](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1779234129_700_canucks-avalanche-hockey_300168734-e1778880783472.jpg\")
Former Vancouver Canucks head coach Adam Foote directs his club during second period against Colorado Avalanche on Dec. 2, 2025, in Denver. Photo by David Zalubowski \/APArticle content<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/21.2.1\/websites\/images\/identity\/logo-identity-vp.svg\"){kind=logo}
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Adam Foote answers questions after supplanting Rick Tocchet as head coach on May 15, 2025. Photo by NICK PROCAYLO \/PNG<\/p>\n![\"Abbotsford](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/54601439964_94e1d4c948_k_296275143.jpg\")
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